FATIMA CELL PROGRAM FOR MARCH
THEMES:
THE SACRED PASSION OF OUR DIVINE LORD. This month of the Passion imposes on all of us the serious obligation to reflect on Our
Lady's plea at Fatima for Amendment of Life – She warned: "Men must cease offending God, Who is already too much offended."
St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori relates: "…Our Lord revealed to several holy women – to St. Gertrude, St. Bridget, St. Mechtilde,
and St. Catherine of Siena – that they who meditate on His Passion are very dear to Him. According to St. Francis de Sales,
the Passion of Our Redeemer should be the ordinary subject of the meditation of every Christian. Oh, what an excellent book is the
Passion of Jesus! There we understand, better than in any other book, the malice of sin, and also the mercy and love of God for man.
To me it appears that Jesus Christ has suffered so many different pains – the scourging, the crowning with thorns,
the crucifixion, etc. – that, having before our eyes so many painful mysteries, we might have a variety of different subjects for
meditating on His Passion, by which we might excite sentiments of gratitude and love. St. Augustine writes that
'there is no more profitable occupation for the soul than to meditate daily on the Passion of Our Lord'."
If we are in need of confidence, gratitude, devotion and fidelity to grace, the solution is the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
All we need do is imitate the simple but profound devotion and love of St. Konrad of Parzham, who lived the words: "The Cross is my book." Mater Dolorosa, ora pro nobis!
SAINT JOSEPH. On October 13th, St. Joseph also appeared at Fatima in a tableau representing the Joyful Mysteries of the
Rosary. St. Joseph is uniquely powerful in his ability to intercede for us before the Throne of God. He is the perfect model
for Fatima apostles determined to overcome the cancerous spirit of selfishness by the faithful and selfless fulfillment of daily duty.
He has also been named by several Popes as the
Patron of the Universal Church, which is now in mortal combat with the numerous enemies of Christ. We turn to St. Joseph as we witness the all but universal
spread of godless Materialism, proud rationalism, and indifferentism. He is our powerful Patron in the battle against these global
terrors and insidious foes. May he protect the Universal Church and Her faithful children from all harm of body and soul.
OPENING PRAYERS: * Come Holy Ghost *
The Rosary with meditation on each mystery
* The Litany of Our Lady of Loreto *
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
* Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary * Lenten Hymn
* Prayer to Our Sorrowful Mother
MEDITATION: * from "My Imitation of Christ"; or
The Glories of Mary on the Immaculate Conception.
STUDY & DISCUSS: * Officer's reports; Cell Memos; reading of the
Salve Maria Regina Bulletin or Unless Ye Do Penance.
First Meeting:
- THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT: Discuss the relative ease in performing, but the necessity for vigilance in, personal and family practices
for a truly Christian observance of this holiest of Seasons; particularly in light of the fact that Lenten practices have been continually
mitigated over the ages. Discuss the danger of laxity in keeping the practices of Lent (10 min. report, 5 min. discussion).
Reference: Article: "The Holy Season of Lent: Part I – The History of Lent".
- THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Discuss the Doctrine of Mary, Co-Redemptrix, which declares that Our Lady truly
participated in the Redemption of mankind, having been chosen for this office by God Himself. Consider the elements of this doctrine,
including God's choice of Our Lady, and Her intimate participation in the Sacrifice and Sufferings of Her Divine Son for our Redemption
(10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 130.
- COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Discuss the life and virtues of St. Thomas Aquinas (10 min. report and discussion).
Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 167.
Second Meeting:
- THE LITURGICAL YEAR: Review the articles on "The Mystery of Lent" and "Practice During Lent" (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion).
Reference: Articles: The Holy Season of Lent: Part II – The Mystery of Lent;
The Holy Season of Lent: Part III – Practices During Lent.
- THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Review the articles on Our Sorrowful Mother as Co-Redemptrix and Queen of Martyrs (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion).
Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 120.
- COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Read the list of Saints' feasts observed during this month: Ven. Francisco Marto; St. Cunegunda;
St. Casimir; St. Colette; St. Frances of Rome; St. Gregory the Great; St. Clement Maria Hofbauer; St. Heribert of Cologne;
St. Cyril of Jerusalem; St. Benedict; St. Gabriel the Archangel; St. John Capistrano. Choose two or three saints from the first part of the list;
briefly review their holy lives and the lessons and virtues we learn from them. Discuss practical ways in which we can imitate them and apply
their virtues in our own daily lives (10 min. report and reflection).
Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 120;
Salve Maria Regina No. 112;
St. Heribert of Cologne;
Salve Maria Regina No. 163.
Third Meeting:
- THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Review the article on Laetare Sunday (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion).
Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 164.
- SAINT JOSEPH appeared at Fatima with Our Lady and the Christ Child on October 13th during the Miracle of the Sun,
thus reminding the faithful of the importance of devotion to this glorious Patriarch. Review Fr. Patrignani's article on St. Joseph,
Patron of the Agonizing and of a Happy Death. Discuss the three great motives which commend him to us at the dread hour of death and judgment:
1) he is the adopted Father of our Judge; 2) his power over the legions of Hell is very great; and 3) his own death in the company of Jesus and
Mary is unparalleled in the ages. Consider ways in which we may secure the assistance of St. Joseph at the hour of our death
(10 min. report; 5 min. discussion).
Reference: "Motives for Devotion to St. Joseph:
St. Joseph is the Special Patron of the Dying", by Fr. Patrignani.
- MATER DOLOROSA: In light of the Season of Lent, review the last four Sorrows of Our Lady (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion).
Reference: Excerpts from The Glories of Mary on Our Lady's Sorrows.
Fourth Meeting:
- THE LITURGICAL YEAR: Review the article on "Passiontide and Holy Week" (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion).
Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 136.
- THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Review the article on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and the Incarnation of Our Divine Savior in her womb. Discuss the significance and importance of this primary Feast for consecrated
slaves of Jesus through Mary (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion).
Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 151.
- COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Choose two or three saints from the latter part of the list above (First Meeting);
briefly review their holy lives and the lessons and virtues we learn from them. Discuss practical ways in which we can imitate
them and apply their virtues in our own daily lives (10 min. report and reflection).
Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 147;
Salve Maria Regina No. 110;
Salve Maria Regina No. 151.
CLOSING PRAYERS: Prayer to Our Lord on the Cross ...
Litany of St. Joseph ...
The Fatima Prayers ... Hymn to St. Joseph
LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH: New Hope ...
Unless Ye Do Penance
CELL PLAN OF APOSTOLIC ACTION FOR MARCH
* Make an act of love and devotion to Our Queen and Sorrowful Mother at every hour.
* To promote the Message of Fatima ... * Sanctification of self, family, neighbor
* Conversion of sinners, salvation of souls ... * Adoration, reparation, total consecration
- Eucharistic all-night vigil on First Friday/Saturday of the month.
- Promote a truly grateful, devout and penitential observance of Lent in your family, Cell, school, or among friends.
- Special observance of the Feasts of Good St. Joseph and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – daily devotions to St. Joseph during
March; Novena before the Feast of the Annunciation.
- Family Practices: Pray the Angelus daily at noon and 6 a.m./p.m.; daily family reading on the Passion.
- Personal Resolve: To accept all the crosses God sends in loving union with Jesus Crucified and Our Mother of Sorrows;
resolve to perform greater penance, mortification, atonement, and reparation, in our daily lives (as did the Fatima children) –
to live every moment in union with Jesus Crucified.
- Make the Via Crucis & Via Matris Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross & the Chaplet of Our Sorrowful Mother) as a Cell (or family) weekly (or more often) during Lent.
- Make visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly. Brighten their day with spiritual encouragement; distribute Fatima pledges,
Brown Scapulars, Miraculous Medals, Sacred Heart badges, Salve Maria Regina Bulletins, The Reign of Mary, and leaflets to those open to
receiving and properly using these spiritual aids. Explain to them the great value of offering their sufferings for the missions of the
Religious and the work of the Fatima Crusade, for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls.